Recently, Texas Woman’s University in Denton held the official opening ceremony for the new home of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership. Jane Nelson has been a state senator in Texas since 1993. She is the first woman in Texas legislative history to chair a standing budget-writing committee.
The institute is headquartered in historic “Old Main,” constructed in 1903. The university renovated the entrance level of the building to house the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership. The institute is anchored by the Sue S. Bancroft Women’s Leadership Hall. Its interactive history exhibit showcases the contributions and leadership legacy of Texas women in politics and public policy with a focus on inspiring the young women leaders of tomorrow.
“It is only fitting that the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership and the Sue S. Bancroft Women’s Leadership Hall are housed in our most historic and iconic building. Texas Woman’s University holds a significant place in Texas history, and it is our intention that the institute with its exhibit hall and centers will hold similar historical import 100 years from now,” said Carine M. Feyten, chancellor of the Texas Woman’s University System.
The institute was originally created and funded by the Texas Legislature in 2015 as the Center for Women in Business. In 2017, the Legislature expanded the mission of the institute to include leadership training for women in the areas of business, public policy, public service, and scholarly research.
The mission of the institute is to:
- Provide a rich array of scholarship opportunities, lecture series, and be a focal point for research into the role of women in politics and public policy;
- Seek to increase the number of women in leadership positions and focus on developing women’s leadership capacity;
- Serve as a repository for women who have been leaders in the areas of business, politics, and public policy to donate their archives for future scholarship and exhibits;
- Become the focal point for the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) National Archives, and other important collections; and
- Assist women who are current or prospective business owners with education and support, prepare students with the practical skills to reach their entrepreneurial goals; and facilitate research regarding the intersection of women and entrepreneurship.